49ers trade back with Browns to pick 12 in mock NFL draft, take tackle

One area that hasn’t been talked about much for the 49ers in the upcoming NFL draft is the offensive line.

That’s largely because San Francisco’s starting five seems set, while the incoming class isn’t considered strong at the position. There may only be one or two first-round linemen, despite tackle being one of the most valuable positions in the game.

This wouldn’t be a bad deal for San Francisco. The meat of this draft is in the second and third rounds. Lynch would have the first and second picks in Round 2 to help remake the roster and two second rounders next year.

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At 12, the 49ers might be in a more palatable spot for a quarterback like Deshaun Watson or Patrick Mahomes (White’s mock has Cleveland taken Trubisky with San Francisco’s No. 2 pick). The 49ers could also use 33 and 34 to get back into Round 1 with a trade.

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But what doesn’t look like a great decision is White’s projection for San Francisco with the 12th pick. He has the 49ers taking Alabama tackle Cam Robinson, despite San Francisco likely having their starters already in place in Joe Staley and Trent Brown.

White’s take:

The 49ers are likely feeling out potential prospects to select if they move off No. 2. How else would explain a scheduled visit with Robinson, who has next to no chance to make it to them in the second round? The massive lineman would start immediately on the right side, helping to alleviate some of the concerns teams might have using him on the blind side. This is also a prime spot for someone looking to trade up for Pat Mahomes (looking at you, Texans).

White clearly doesn’t think much of Brown, who emerged as a rare bright spot on offense last year. Additionally, pre-draft visits are not indicators of teams’ strategies. But if the 49ers took Robinson, it would be an interesting competition for the starting right tackle job in training camp.

San Francisco has a number of needs they should address in the draft. Down the list is a back-up swing tackle, which is currently last year’s fifth-round pick John Theus. Taking Robinson would upgrade that spot and allow San Francisco to think about Robinson or Brown as the long-term left tackle with Staley turning 33 in August.